Tropical fish are destroying NSW kelp forests as the ocean warms
Business Insider Australia, 17 Nov 2016.
Video: Dr Adriana Vergés from the University of NSW and Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
From: Business Insider Australia.
Northern tropical fish, pushing south as waters get warmer due to climate change, are destroying kelp forests off NSW near Coffs Harbour, according to the latest research.
The decline of the kelp impacts commercial and recreational fishing.
The study analysed underwater video covering 10 years between 2002 and 2012 during which the water warmed by 0.6 degrees.
“Kelp forests provide vital habitat for hundreds of marine species, including fish, lobster and abalone,” says Dr Adriana Vergés from the University of NSW and Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
“As a result of climate change, warm water fish species are shifting their range and invading temperate areas. Our results show that over-grazing by these fish can have a profound impact, leading to kelp deforestation and barren reefs.”
Watch the warm water species rabbitfish feeding off NSW:
